Observation Date
3/20/2014
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine to East Pass at 10,600'
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Weather Comments
Beautiful sunny day with moderate wind from the west.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The cool temperatures and wind kept the snow surface reasonable with settled, dense, dry snow that rides fast on gentle slopes on northerly facing slopes that are wind sheltered. The upper elevations are quite wind blasted with sastrugi and settled wind slabs. Lower elevations, especially southerly aspects have sun crusts of various flavors and you post hole through the wet corn snow at lower elevations in the heat of the afternoon.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There are still a few minor wind slab problems in the upper elevation, wind exposed terrain but they are mostly settled and not particularly reactive, at least the ones on the test slopes I jumped on above 10,000'. Quite a few people were out and no one seemed to be triggering any of these so I think they are a minor problem.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Temperatures are warming and if the wind drops, we may see some more rollerballs and wet, loose avalanches on the steep, sun exposed slopes. This was a relatively minor problem today and, as usual with wet activity, timing is everything. Avoid steep, soggy slopes in the heat of the afternoon.
Overall, the danger seemed Low with just some cautions for wind slabs and wet loose avalanches.
Comments
Here are a few photos from the day.
1) Stomping on cornices on this small, wind loaded test slope produced a few shallow wind slabs and occasionally sensitive cornices. In the larger, higher consequence terrain, these could be a problem.
2-5) Various photos showing the wind damage at upper elevations. Notice the snow surface texture. The sand-blasted snow is wind eroded snow, which is usually safe and the smooth and rounded snow is wind deposited snow, which can be dangerous if it was recently deposited. It's important to memorize this texture difference. This is one of the first skills you learn in an avalanche class.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
